Craftsman 299-piece Ultimate Easy Read Socket Set
- Thread starter nahudson
- Start date
SASORacing
Well-known member
I think need to remember the good times with Craftsman, they were great, but now going downhill. Does not make them bad, esp. if you buy up the USA tools and hand them down to your grandchild.
FlyingSquirrelCycles
Member
- Joined
- May 1, 2014
- Messages
- 23
My set was not missing any but 2 were rusty, 2 very poor chrome and one was etched but missing the part number and size stamp. I will call to get a replacement sent for the unmarked socket.
While I am on the line with them I will also address my problem with the Craftsman 21 pc. Drive Tool Accessory Set. I ordered a set a few months ago. All USA made which was good but when I went to use the 3/8x10" extension I discovered it was badly bent. It is like a banana. At least 1/2 off center to center. After looking in the stores for a USA replacement I gave up and ordered one online. It came and was a China model. So.......I ordered another complete set and the good news is the 3/8x10" one is straight as an arrow. The bad news is the 1/2"x10" in this set is bent. Not nearly as bad as the 3/8x10" though.
BTW one of the 1/4" extensions in one of the sets had a drilled hole and the other set did not have a hole. Different manufacturer?
While I am on the line with them I will also address my problem with the Craftsman 21 pc. Drive Tool Accessory Set. I ordered a set a few months ago. All USA made which was good but when I went to use the 3/8x10" extension I discovered it was badly bent. It is like a banana. At least 1/2 off center to center. After looking in the stores for a USA replacement I gave up and ordered one online. It came and was a China model. So.......I ordered another complete set and the good news is the 3/8x10" one is straight as an arrow. The bad news is the 1/2"x10" in this set is bent. Not nearly as bad as the 3/8x10" though.
BTW one of the 1/4" extensions in one of the sets had a drilled hole and the other set did not have a hole. Different manufacturer?
Just finished putting together my set. Missing a socket, 2 missing laser etching, and a few with very faint etching.
Looks great. I contacted them yesterday to see if it is possible to augment that unit so that the 176-piece set can be laid flat for easier identification of the sizes. My 7/16" 12-point was missing the laser etching.
Soo....is the chrome plating different on half these? The inner part looks different on a lot (both pictures, so it can't be the flash)
All mine for 20 years ago are chromed inside and out, hald yours look unchromed inside.
sucking chest wound
Well-known member
You're fawked!
I went through the same thing with a Professional wrench set in the spring. It took a month and 7 calls to Sears to fix it - two of which were to a special "executive" resolution center. I was one day away from contesting the charge on my credit card when the refund finally came through. Jerks.
Recap: First set of 299 sockets Sears sent me was wholly busted open and missing almost exactly half of the sockets. Obviously due to their extremely poor shipping practices (60 pounds of loose metal chunks rolling around in a flimsy single cardboard box, no packing material, and exactly one strip of packing tape holding it closed).
Anyways, I was discouraged to think that I might be "fawked" but after calling the main Sears customer service number (NOT the number on the parts sheet) they dispatched me a new set (which they charged me for) and refunded me back the difference in price (since it was no longer on sale) plus my SYW points.
They requested I return the half-empty set to the local store, which was annoying, but they did accept it and issue a refund on site.
The NEW shipment arrived yesterday, and was packed exactly the same as the first (that is, piss-poorly) but amazingly after a careful inventory ALL sockets were there. Not one more and not one less. Even though there were loose sockets rolling around in the box and the box was busted open at the top.
So, I'm not out any money and I did get my sockets at the original price, plus a moderate amount of hassle. Fine, I guess.
For a company that is bleeding money you'd think that it would occur to them to at least spend a few extra pennies to pack web shipments a little more carefully so they aren't eating returns like this. Sears really gives off the vibe that they're just mailing it in.
Last edited:
I do not understand why Sears says that this 299 piece set includes every socket they have. That is simply not true. The 540 piece mechanic set has 312 sockets. And it is not just 13 more in one drive size, it has a lot more 1/4 and 3/8 but a lot less 1/2 See below. While I like the 24 more 1/2 sizes in the 299 kits I wonder what all the extra 1/4 and 3/8 pieces they took out were.
Why the heck can't they offer one set that truly includes them all?
312 piece
(76) 1/4-drive sockets, (134) 3/8-drive sockets, and (102) 1/2-drive sockets
299 piece
(64) 1/4-drive sockets, (109) 3/8-drive sockets, and (126) 1/2-drive sockets
Why the heck can't they offer one set that truly includes them all?
312 piece
(76) 1/4-drive sockets, (134) 3/8-drive sockets, and (102) 1/2-drive sockets
299 piece
(64) 1/4-drive sockets, (109) 3/8-drive sockets, and (126) 1/2-drive sockets
Parrothead
Well-known member
I would be VERY interested in pictures of this. I think they should consider stocking the HF drawer cut outs.
Set was received today. Packaging was a JOKE. After much sorting just a few missing which after calling CS they're on way. My impression of the set is they are factory seconds. The chrome and etching is adequate but not 1st quality, and as some have noticed the interior is inconsistently done.
Overall I was looking for a complete set as gathering piecemeal in past irritates me now. Satisfied with what I have here and ordered the foam organizer for 56" drawer.
Overall I was looking for a complete set as gathering piecemeal in past irritates me now. Satisfied with what I have here and ordered the foam organizer for 56" drawer.
SASORacing
Well-known member
To all complaining, Craftsman is not perfect. I think we should look past the imperfections. What is great is the price... its very cheap. And also its a made in USA product! With the best warranty, just walk into a Sears!!!!! Nobody else comes close to beating these Craftsman sockets in these aspects.
Agreed 100% This set is the best bang for the buck around.
n8n
Well-known member
While they still have stock of the Made in USA sets that is...
Loscaldazar
Well-known member
- Joined
- Feb 23, 2013
- Messages
- 2,385
Nope. Not factory seconds. These are just the way the last Craftsman USA sockets were made! I owned many of them.
The 540 piece mechanics set has 312 sockets, but those include the Torx and Allen sockets that craftsman offers. I personally think they **** (esp the torx) so no big loss there. They are ok in a pinch but far too soft for everyday usage.
Last edited:
When did your new set arrive?
How do you know what I have received? You do not. These are not normal quality!
Loscaldazar
Well-known member
- Joined
- Feb 23, 2013
- Messages
- 2,385
They are all actually chromed on the inside, the ones that are whiter just have an additional layer of "paint" that is rust resistant. With use, that paint comes off pretty quickly and the chrome underneath is revealed. No clue on why only certain sockets have it and not others. The smaller ones tend to not have it (the apparatus can't get inside the socket), but then sometimes, for example, the 14MM and above all have the paint, and also the 12MM is painted, but the 13MM is skipped. It's strange.
I know what you received based on your description, which sounds like every easy-to-read Craftsman socket I've ever owned. You're right that I can't truly known unless I see them, but your written description doesn't sound like anything strange or abnormal for these sockets. Inconsistent interior painting, poor exterior chrome, laser etchings that are barely there on some, and fine on others. I've had hundreds (if not thousands) of these sockets at times that I either used myself, or was buying and reselling to those who wanted USA made CMAN sockets.
These USA made Craftsman sockets aren't anything special to look at. Almost any socket from Taiwan or China looks nicer in terms of chrome. Some of mine would rust on the exterior if I didn't oil them (and that was only after a year of use). I ended up warranting those rusted ones and selling them and getting SK.
I'm not trying to outright bash them and make everyone regret their purchase. As I said, I used them for a while, and they never have given me a problem in terms of strength and stood up to some really, really, really high torque situations repeatedly. The strength, in my mind, is great, but the quality of the chrome and aesthetics is down right poor. Don't expect Proto/SK/Snap On level chrome and looks with these sockets.
rob1200
Well-known member
By my count, it's 163 SAE sockets to 136 metric sockets.
Note that 11 of the SAE sockets are the 8-point ones. So that makes it 152 SAE versus 136 metric.
I don't think you have a valid complaint. How useful would an 11.5 mm socket be anyway?
OutsideMachinist
Well-known member
Yes I think its fairly equal. Most sets are more metric than standard. I use only SAE at work. I got the set cause I wanted some more metric sockets for the house. If you use almost exclusively metric than this might not be the set for you.
tldavis
Member
It's scheduled to be delivered today, I'll snap some pictures after work.
By my count, it's 163 SAE sockets to 136 metric sockets.
Note that 11 of the SAE sockets are the 8-point ones. So that makes it 152 SAE versus 136 metric.
I don't think you have a valid complaint. How useful would an 11.5 mm socket be anyway?
It skimps on many of the larger metric 6-point sockets. It's missing the larger sizes in the deep 6-points, and in the standard depth 6-points. It's also missing 12-point deep 1/4" metric sockets, and 12-point standard depth 1/4" sockets.
It's just not a complete set. The inch set is more complete, and inch sets are virtually worthless for working on most modern cars.
rob1200
Well-known member
Now I'm confused... this set doesn't include every chrome socket Craftsman makes? Sears makes that claim in the first paragraph of the item description. (Obviously not including flex sockets, spark plug sockets, hex bits, impact sockets, etc.)
LB-1911
ALLIANCE MEMBER
Just refer to the Parts List for the contents of the set.
PARTS LIST FOR 299 PIECE SOCKET ACCESSORY SET #35299
http://download.sears.com/misc/IL35299.pdf
Edit to add link; Open Stock Catalog
http://www.e-digitaleditions.com/t/58326
Last edited:
It surely does not. It even skips a few in-between sizes on the larger size socket sets. For example, on the 6-pt deep metric sockets in 1/2" drive, they give you 19mm and 21mm, but not 20mm, and nothing larger. In 12-pt they give you 9mm through 30mm, then skips to 32mm, then skips to 36mm.
Loscaldazar
Well-known member
- Joined
- Feb 23, 2013
- Messages
- 2,385
Unless something has changed, that is because they don't make those sized sockets....
93calypsohatch
Active member
Sorted my set today. Missing one socket and one duplicate. No other issues
Those that bought the foam organizer...what do you think? Recommend getting it?
Those that bought the foam organizer...what do you think? Recommend getting it?
MartyO
Well-known member
This set is from China and is in eBay. Interesting.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/NEW-Craftsm...65083266?pt=US_Hand_Tools&hash=item25921bc482
http://www.ebay.com/itm/NEW-Craftsm...65083266?pt=US_Hand_Tools&hash=item25921bc482
Loscaldazar
Well-known member
- Joined
- Feb 23, 2013
- Messages
- 2,385
It may actually be made in the USA still... This isn't the first auction for craftsman goods that are made in the USA but ships from china (and the items have been stamped made in USA). So either sears is mislabeling COO of their products, or someone in china has a bunch of USA made CMAN...
Here's the 20mm 6-pt for same on their site, for example:
http://m.sears.com/craftsman-20mm-easy-to-read-socket-6-pt/p-00950736000P
I call scam, seller has no sales
mikedhamann
New member
- Joined
- May 15, 2009
- Messages
- 3
This socket is in the set. No deep 20mm 6-pt though.
MartyO
Well-known member
Worse yet, look at the shipping dates. I believe they are so far out you couldn't contest the transaction through PayPal.
LB-1911
ALLIANCE MEMBER
You may want to refer to the Parts List - The socket you linked above is included in the set - pg 2 left column - 5th section
45893 9 MM LASER SOCKET 6PT STD METRIC 1/2"
45894 10 MM LASER SOCKET 6PT STD METRIC 1/2"
45895 11 MM LASER SOCKET 6PT STD METRIC 1/2"
45896 12 MM LASER SOCKET 6PT STD METRIC 1/2"
45897 13 MM LASER SOCKET 6PT STD METRIC 1/2"
45898 14 MM LASER SOCKET 6PT STD METRIC 1/2"
45928 15 MM LASER SOCKET 6PT STD METRIC 1/2"
50801 16 MM LASER SOCKET 6PT STD METRIC 1/2"
45929 17 MM LASER SOCKET 6PT STD METRIC 1/2"
45930 18 MM LASER SOCKET 6PT STD METRIC 1/2"
45931 19 MM LASER SOCKET 6PT STD METRIC 1/2"
50736 20 MM LASER SOCKET 6PT STD METRIC 1/2"
50737 21 MM LASER SOCKET 6PT STD METRIC 1/2"
50738 22 MM LASER SOCKET 6PT STD METRIC 1/2"
PARTS LIST FOR 299 PIECE SOCKET ACCESSORY SET #35299
http://download.sears.com/misc/IL35299.pdf
I contacted them about a custom foam for my box, but never heard anything back, typical small business. Has anyone used the two smaller foams which hold the 176-piece set. I don't believe it lists the drawer depth needed to support those two-pieces and, well, contacting them to get specs probably ain't gonna work.